right here, write now

Board

David Visser, Vice Chair, Promotions

David is an attorney with Overcast Law Offices in Wenatchee, where he maintains a general practice with an emphasis on estate planning and business matters. David was raised in Wenatchee and spent just over a decade in the Seattle area while attending college and starting out his legal career before returning to North Central Washington. When not working or volunteering, David enjoys spending time with family and recreating outdoors.

Kay Kenyon, Programming

Kay Kenyon, a founding member of Write On The River, is the author of twelve science fiction and fantasy novels. Her latest work, “Queen of the Deep,” blends Renaissance intrigue with the magic of an enchanted ocean liner. Her backlist will be re-issued through the winter and spring of 2015. Titles include “The Seeds of Time,” “Tropic of Creation,” and the Philip K. Dick shortlisted, “Maximum Ice.” Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. For more, please visit www.kaykenyon.com. On Twitter: @KayKenyon.

Susan Lagsdin plans and facilitates WOTR’s community events: Writers Meeting Writers, the Alcoa Competition, and the Spring conference weekend. She also crafts poetry, teaches English at Wenatchee Valley College and writes feature stories for The Good Life magazine. Susan lives in East Wenatchee with her spouse, journalist Mike Irwin, but also spends quality time in the Methow Valley cozying up their 106 year old cabin and riding her horse on mountain trails.

Kayla Van Winkle, Data Management, Finance

Kayla lends her background in Public Relations and Business Administration to the Write On The River Board of Directors, and serves as the organization’s Data Manager. As the mother of three busy daughters, Kayla and her husband enjoy spending time as a family and golfing during the warmer months. Kayla is passionate about all forms of communication, both personally and professionally. Growing up without television, Kayla built an early love of reading and writing, and enjoys exploring how the thoughts, ideas, and emotions of one individual can impact others without ever seeing or hearing one another.

Trish McCallan, Finance

International best-selling author Trish McCallan was born in Oregon and raised in Washington State, where as a child she sold her first crayon-illustrated books for a nickel. This love of writing led her to study the craft at Western Washington University. She worked as a bookkeeper and a human-resource specialist before trading in her day job for a full-time writing career. Her debut novel, Forged in Fire, went on to final in two prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA® awards. Information regarding her books can be found athttp://trishmccallan.com/. Trish is also active on Facebook, and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/trish.mccallan.

Eldene Wall, School Connections, Secretary

Eldene Wall, CEOE, is Executive Assistant/Public Relations Specialist at North Central Educational Service District in Wenatchee. She has been at the ESD for 18 years, serving as Executive Assistant for 14 years. The Public Relations work was added the past 5 years.

Shirley Ostenson, Finance

Shirley Ostenson is a retired CPA. She received a BS from Central Washington University in Accounting and has completed coursework for a Masters in Applied Behavioral Science from Baystr University. Shirley has had a variety of life experiences from Naval Officer’s wife living in Japan and Europe, to organic orcharding and co-managing an organic fruit packing business. In between these two diverse lifestyles, she worked as Controller for Selland Construction in Wenatchee and as Controller for Alcoa at its magnesium plant in Addy outside Spokane. Married to Harold Ostenson, organic guru for Stemilt Growers, her greatest accomplishment is their two children, Julie Banken and Jeff Ostenson. Her sources of most pride are grandsons Isaiah and Zachary.

Dan Gemeinhart, Web & Social Media, Promotions

Dan Gemeinhart is a teacher-librarian at Mission View Elementary school in Wenatchee. He writes middle grade novels for children, and is a proud member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. His debut novel, The Honest Truth, will be published by Scholastic Press in January 2015. His passions beside reading and writing books are the outdoors and music. His writing website can be found at www.dangemeinhart.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @dangemeinhart. He lives in Cashmere with his wife and three young daughters.

Lorna Rose-Hahn, Promotions

Lorna is a WEMT and Certified Medical Assistant who teaches courses for the American Red Cross. In the past she has written for a small newspaper in California and poetry for a small literary mag. Currently she writes for a small business blog, and also manages her own blog, backyarder.org. Lorna enjoys spending time with her husband and young son. Usually she can be found enjoying the outdoors, traveling, writing, or reading. She most enjoys reading nonfiction, and her favorite author is Sherman Alexie. She most enjoys writing memoir and short fiction. Lorna was born and raised in IL.

Barbara Carrillo, Hospitality

Barbara Carrillo has over 20 years of experience in administration and office management primarily with nonprofits and government entities. She received her Associates of Arts degree from Wenatchee Valley College and is currently working on finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Communications with Washington State University. Barbara also has several years of experience as an independent consultant in media relations, writing, marketing and communications. She recently joined the Write On The River Board, a nonprofit board that offers events and programs to the entire NCW Community of writers. Barbara’s hobbies include reading historical fiction, running, snow skiing, boating and spending time with her family in the great outdoors of North Central Washington.

Melody Kreimes, Chair

Melody works for a local non-profit, facilitating consensus around restoring the region’s forests. Her home is nestled at the base of the mountains in Leavenworth, where she skis and hikes with her husband and two rambunctious children. She is currently working on a memoir about her father’s life.